Reconfigurable axial-mode helical antenna

Abstract

Novel reconfigurable antennas are provided which may be used to accommodate the requirements for wideband multi-standard handheld communication devices. It is shown that using a shape memory alloy spring actuator, the height of a helical antenna and therefore the pitch spacing and angle can be varied. This can in turn tune the far-field radiation pattern and gain of the antenna dynamically to adjust to new operating conditions. The radiation pattern can further be directed using a two-helix array. Finally, a helical antenna embodiment is implemented and measured using a shape memory alloy actuator. Measurement results confirm that while keeping the centre frequency constant, gain tunability can be attained using this structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to the following previously filed patent application, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference:[0002]U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 267,792 filed Dec. 8, 2009 and entitled: RECONFIGURABLE AXIAL-MODE HELICAL ANTENNA.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates generally to radio frequency antennas, and more particularly to axial-mode helical antennas which may be mechanically reconfigured such as to tune the antenna radiation pattern in use, for example.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0004]Helical antennas have widely been used for mobile and satellite radio applications since the 1950s [see Kraus reference listed below]. Compared to monopole antennas, helical antennas are preferred for their high gain and wideband impedance characteristics despite their compact form. In addition, helical antennas offer wideband circularly polarized (CP) radiation patterns and si...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]According to another embodiment of the present invention, a reconfigurable axial-mode helical antenna is implemented using a shape memory alloy spring as an actuator. It is shown that by applying a DC current to the SMA spring, the length of the helical antenna and therefore its pitch spacing (the spacing between its turns) may be varied, such as may be desirable such as for varying frequencies of operation of the helical antenna for example. One advantage of SMA actuator is that they can provide a continuum of steps to change the length of the helix and therefore continuous variation and a smooth transition between different settings of helical antenna parameters (in this case, the radiation pattern).

Problems solved by technology

However, little attention has been paid to dynamic optimization of the helix antenna parameters to match real-time application requirements.

However, these methods typically suffer from disadvantages such as non-linearity and low isolation and therefore may be undesirably limited in their potential throughput.

In addition, only certain discrete changes can be attained using these methods.

In addition, since the changes by mechanical approaches are applied to the physical antenna structure, reconfigurability schemes may be attained that may not be possible by other methods.

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